36 replies to this topic

[yorkshirechris]

Yet another problem

Got a 1980 Mini GT, not that it will make much difference.

I installed my brand new head unit a few weeks back and was having an intermittent problem with it turning itself off and back on again. Every time it turned itself off, if I played with the fuseholder/fuse and it came back on, so I changed the fuse holder & fuse and the problem went away for a week or so.

I wired the head unit as follows:

Ignition live taken from under the steering column cowling and fused. This is where the original radio took it's live from, and that worked fine.
Constant live taken from fuse two of the fusebox. Male Spade cleaned up before doing this.
Earthed to underneath the dash rail, very secure & good earth.

So this week, the problem came back. Strangely, the head unit would turn itself off & back on immediately only a few times after driving the car from cold, once the car gets warm usually it would stop?

I decided upon advice from Minifixit (my local garage) to re-wire the live feeds.

So this afternoon I re-wired the head unit as follows:

Ignition live taken direct from Fuse 1 of the fusebox. Again the male spade I connected onto was thoroughly cleaned up. That bay of the fusebox looks ok (no corrosion unlike fuse 2 where there is a very little bit of corrosion on the right hand spade terminal).
Brand new constant live taken from the solenoid nut, I fused this with a 5 amp fuse.
Earth left as it is, as this is ok.

This worked... for a bit.

Now it's doing exactly the same as before, but if anything it's worse because it's turning off and not coming back on for a random duration of time, between 2 and 10 seconds.

Without me having to replace the fusebox to eliminate that from the problem - because everything else is working fine and the terminal I'm connected to looks fine - what's the likelyhood of it being the actual head unit that's faulty? It's a Kenwood one if that makes a difference and was about £110.

Should I try running a new Iggy live which doesn't go through the fusebox first? If so, where's easiest for me to tap into it? Obviously I'll fuse it for good measure.

I dont want it to be the head unit because it took me ages fitting the stereo into the bracket etc and I dont know if I'll be able to get it out without breaking it

Thanks in advance...

Chris

[Ouster]

Try connecting the permanent live and switched live together (i.e wire it so that the permanent live wire and the switched live wire coming from the HU are connected to the wire coming from the solenoid). If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd say the HU is at fault.

[yorkshirechris]

Try connecting the permanent live and switched live together (i.e wire it so that the permanent live wire and the switched live wire coming from the HU are connected to the wire coming from the solenoid). If that doesn't fix the problem, then I'd say the HU is at fault.

Ahh, never thought about doing that. Just checked my halfords reciept (luckily I kept it) and it's been more than 30 days since I got it so if I take it back it will have to be sent off for repair, I won't be able to get an exchange .

I'll give that a go then. It must be the head unit if it's still happening after that, surely?

[yorkshirechris]

Turns out it is the twatting head unit >

I wired both lives from the HU to the brand new fused constant live I took from the solenoid - same problem happened. Didn't even have to drive out of the street before it'd reset itself twice.

I then decided to run a new earth to see if that was the problem - even though it seemed secure. I ran a temporary, secure earth to the handbrake nut/bolt. Same problem again >

Took it down to Halfords and because it's out of the 30 day money-back thingy they're going to get one of their monkeys to look at it tomorrow, and ring me to let me know what's happening. I told him that it only occurs during driving though, they could have it setup on a bench and it would work fine for hours hopefully I will get a new one.

And hopefully soon because it's Newark next weekend!

[yorkshirechris]

Update...

Halfords tested it today - had it on the test bed for 3 hours, shook it about, etc, and said that it's not faulty. The guy actually knew what he was talking about and suggested trying to run a live direct from the battery (via a fuse obviously) and see if that makes a difference. As he thought the Solenoid may be iffy.

So tonight I thought I'd go have a poke around the solenoid. After giving it a light wiggle, on the turn of the key there was nothing at all (just oil lights and other lights etc). I then used a lead with two croc clips on, to earth the solenoid to the engine - works fine

Soooo basically the Solenoid Earth was very dodgy, it's one that's mounted on the inner wing with two screws.

I've taken the solenoid out (made some fireworks in the process ), reconditioned it by cleaning up the terminals and earth plate, cleaned up all the connecting terminals, and re-mounted it, double-earthing it to the engine bay earth strap.

HOPEFULLY that was the problem all along - I'm going to Halfords tomorrow to get the stereo and try it!

It kinda makes sense, the dodgy earth means it was dropping a few volts intermittently, which was causing the stereo to reset itself or sometimes go off for 5 seconds or so.

Thought I'd update this so anyone with a similar problem can refer to it!

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

hahaha you go york road halfords dont talk to russ hes an asbolute Ar*E hOLE

went i work at kirkstall branch hed answer the phone put u on hold and never return to the calll ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

[yorkshirechris]

Nah I go to the Meadow Road one in Holbeck, it's marginally nearer.. and if it isn't... well I will still go because I like to drive through town on my way home

Right then, this problem = SORTED!

Went in this afternoon and the guy there gave me back the HU and offered to come out and check the wiring. I said I'm pretty sure the problem was with the solenoid earth (which I now know it was) but he came out to nosey anyway he then said that they sell radio cowlings for £7.99 - I didnt know that so I thought I might as well get one.

He then came out with a toolbox and a drill and fitted it for me for free! Top guy!

It's all working spot on now

So... if anyone else gets an intermittent radio problem and it's wired from the solenoid/fusebox and not direct from the battery, check all connections INCLUDING the solenoid earths!

[yorkshirechris]

Spoke too soon

Radio has been fine for a few days.

Today it's cutting out AGAIN.

What could it be?

I'm considering pointing a FLAMETHROWER at the car, will this solve the problem?

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

could be the ignition live mine wasnt working as water was driping onto the back of the unit

[yorkshirechris]

could be the ignition live mine wasnt working as water was driping onto the back of the unit

The wiring I've run is fine, it's all new and the crimp connectors have all been checked

[yorkshirechris]

Anyone?

[Shifty]

Chris, if you like I'll chuck my meter on it at Newark for you?

Does it still have the ISO connector on the loom?

If so we can just try my radio on it and see if that works?

If it does then its your Head unit, if not then we'll have a look at the wiring.

[yorkshirechris]

I've had a meter on it though and it's fine when it's idle. It randomly cuts out when driving

I butchered the ISO loom that came with the stereo because my car wasn't fitted with the ISO plug as standard.

I would appreciate it if you could look at it with me on Sunday, two heads are better than one

I'll leave everything as it is, see how it goes on the way to Newark and take it from there.

Tomorrow I'm going under the bonnet to replace the fusebox and clean up a couple of earths to see if that helps, nothing looks in particularly bad condition though.

[Shifty]

No problems, I'm sure we can sort it out.

[Shifty]

Just a quick thought....


How about connecting the switched live to the permenant live, this would either eliminate the switched live from the investigatation or identify as the problem.